DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has said the time is coming soon when he will be in a position to decide whether to take his party back into power sharing at Stormont.
Mr Donaldson said his negotiations with the UK government over changes to post Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland were close to conclusion.
On reports that Tanáiste Micheál Martin had briefed Fianna Fáil colleagues last night that a deal could be on the cards within days, Mr Donaldson said he had spoken to Mr Martin earlier this week but had not provided him with a timeline.
Mr Donaldson told BBC Radio Ulster that "significant progress" had been made in talks with the UK government.
"We're approaching the time I think when we will be able to examine where we've got to, the progress that has been made and perhaps come to some decisions," Mr Donaldson said.
"But as to the timescale for that that depends on a number of things. And that process has not yet completed."
Speaking yesterday, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said it is decision time for both the DUP and the Government.
She said: "We're now at a decision-making point for the Treasury in terms of money and for the DUP in terms of powersharing."
Yesterday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the UK Government stands ready to legislate to "protect" Northern Ireland's place in the UK internal market.
He said such a move would sit alongside a deal to restore the Northern Ireland Executive.
